Divorce lawyer in Ukraine — Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa
We work with clients located anywhere in the world. Online consultations on divorce cases. Full legal support throughout the process.
Divorce solicitor
Divorce involves a complex process of terminating a relationship that has developed over a certain period of time. This process is reminiscent of the difficult task of unravelling threads that were once tightly woven together. The divorce process must take into account both the delicate balance of emotions on the one hand and the financial and legal aspects on the other. In Ukraine, the process of divorce, or dissolution of marriage, also has significant legal and material consequences that go beyond the emotional sphere. Hiring a specialised solicitor who specialises in family law is extremely important and guarantees you the best outcome in defending your rights.
Divorce in Ukraine is a process where formal errors often lead to wasted time and additional, not always pleasant, hassles. Jurisdiction, filing procedures, evidence, deadlines, and procedural nuances directly affect the outcome. Our task is to take control of the process: from the first step to the final court decision.
We do not work ‘by the book’, but build a legal position based on the wishes of each individual client: we assess the risks, choose the optimal format (RAGS or COURT), and determine the appropriateness of actions.
WE OFFER
extensive practical experience in divorce cases
remote support and online format
professional representation in court
working with international and complex cases
clear strategy and process control
We handle divorce proceedings in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa, as well as remotely throughout Ukraine !
Divorce solicitor in Kyiv
Divorce in Kyiv is usually a legally complex process. The heavy workload of the courts and the large number of cases involving children, property and international elements require lawyers to have a thorough understanding of the procedural nuances and judicial practice of specific courts.
In Kyiv divorce cases, it is especially important to correctly determine jurisdiction, avoid formal errors when filing a lawsuit, and develop a strategy that takes into account the timeframes for considering cases. Often, the parties live abroad or in different regions, which makes remote support a key factor.
A divorce lawyer in Kyiv is not just a representative in court, but a coordinator of the process who takes control of deadlines, documents, and procedural actions so that the divorce does not turn into a protracted and exhausting conflict.
Divorce solicitor in Kharkiv
Divorce proceedings in Kharkiv are often accompanied by additional circumstances: lack of documents, departure of one of the parties, military or migration factors. All this requires a flexible approach and careful preparation of the case.
In practice, in Kharkiv divorce cases, lawyers are faced with the need to restore documents, confirm the place of residence of the parties, correctly draw up procedural statements and minimise the risks of prolonging the process.
A divorce lawyer in Kharkiv does not work according to a template, but takes into account the real circumstances of each specific case. The task is to ensure a legally sound dissolution of marriage even in situations where the client’s personal participation is impossible or difficult.
Divorce solicitor in Odessa
Odessa is characterised by divorce cases with a predominantly international and commercial element. Often, spouses live in different countries, have assets abroad, or plan to move abroad after the divorce.
In such cases, a divorce lawyer in Odessa must take into account not only the norms of Ukrainian family law, but also the consequences of divorce for residence status, possible remarriage, and recognition of the court decision abroad.
Practice shows that it is at the planning stage of the process — even before filing a lawsuit — that the success of the case is determined. The right strategy allows the parties to divorce without unnecessary litigation and ensures that the court decision can be used outside Ukraine.
In many cases, the client’s personal presence is not required — we work on the basis of a contract and a power of attorney.
⚖️ Divorce in Ukraine
The procedure for dissolving a marriage depends on the composition of the family and the position of the parties.
☑️ Divorce through the civil registry office: this option is possible if both spouses agree and there are no minor children. The spouses will need to visit the civil registry office together, submit a joint application for divorce, and return one month later to confirm their desire to divorce and receive their divorce certificate.
☑️ Divorce in court: the only option if the spouses have children, one of the parties does not consent, or additional legal issues arise.
We assist with the preparation and filing of lawsuits, payment of court fees, participation in hearings, filing of necessary procedural motions, and monitoring of deadlines to avoid delays in the proceedings.
Online divorce and remote support
Online divorce is a legal and effective format where the client does not participate in court hearings in person. It is relevant when living in another city or abroad, having a busy schedule, or in cases where it is important to minimise stress.
How it works:
- The client enters into a contract with the solicitor (remotely).
- The solicitor represents the client’s interests on the basis of the Order.
- Documents are prepared and submitted remotely.
- The solicitor represents the client’s interests in court and conducts the proceedings.
- The client receives decisions and procedural documents online.
We assess in advance whether a fully remote format is possible and select the optimal support model!
Divorce abroad and through the consulate
For Ukrainian citizens residing abroad, the following options are available :
- remote divorce through the courts in Ukraine;
- divorce through the Ukrainian consulate — subject to certain conditions.
We accompany such processes, interact with courts and consular offices, ensuring the protection of the client’s interests regardless of their country of residence.
Divorce from a foreigner
Divorce involving a foreign citizen is a legally complex matter, as it simultaneously touches upon family, procedural, and immigration law. Mistakes made during the filing stage or when determining jurisdiction can lead to the return of documents, delays in the process, or the inability to enforce a court decision.
Key difficulties faced by clients in divorce proceedings involving a foreign national :
- determining the jurisdiction of the case (in Ukraine or abroad);
- confirming the defendant’s place of residence;
- properly notifying the foreign party of the legal proceedings;
- issues related to the residence status of a foreigner in Ukraine or a Ukrainian spouse abroad;
- risks of parallel proceedings in different jurisdictions.
In practice, most problems arise precisely because of an incorrectly chosen strategy at the outset. We analyse the situation before filing a lawsuit and determine in which country and in what format the divorce will be legally correct and most expeditious.
More about divorce from a foreigner
If the foreign spouse does not reside in Ukraine, does not communicate or refuses to participate in the process, divorce is still possible. The law provides for a judicial procedure for divorce in compliance with procedural requirements, and this is where the participation of a solicitor is critical.
Special attention should be paid to cases where divorce from a foreigner is associated with:
- residence permit or its loss;
- subsequent relocation of one of the parties;
- children living abroad;
- the need to recognise a Ukrainian court decision in another country.
We provide comprehensive support in such cases, taking into account not only the fact of divorce itself, but also the consequences it will have for the client’s legal status.
Practical situations and legal solutions
Situation: the second spouse is a foreign national, lives abroad and is not in contact. Solution: divorce through the courts in Ukraine, complying with the procedure for notifying the defendant and confirming their inability to participate.
Situation: the marriage was registered in Ukraine, but the spouses have been living in different countries for a long time. Solution: determining the optimal jurisdiction and remote support of the process without the client’s personal involvement.
Situation: Divorce from a foreign national may affect your residence permit or immigration status. Solution: Legal assessment of the consequences of divorce and development of a strategy taking into account immigration law.
Situation: You need to get divorced quickly, without protracted legal disputes and conflicts. Solution: Proper procedural preparation, elimination of formal errors, and monitoring of case review deadlines.
Situation: after divorce, you plan to move abroad or have the court decision recognised in another country. Solution: support throughout the process, taking into account international standards and requirements for the recognition of court decisions.
Registration of a divorce decree with the Civil Registry Office: an important but often overlooked step
When a marriage is dissolved through legal proceedings, the spouses receive a court decision that legally confirms the fact of divorce. However, in practice, many people do not know that the process does not always end automatically at this point.
According to the established procedure, the court is obliged to send a copy of the divorce decree to the civil registry office for entry into the state civil registry. It is this entry that confirms that the marriage has been officially terminated at the registry level.
In practice, situations often arise where:
- the court decision has come into legal force;
- the parties consider the divorce to be finalised;
- but the information has not actually been entered into the civil registry.
This can lead to serious consequences: when remarrying, completing paperwork, or verifying data, it may become apparent that the individual is still formally listed as married in the registry. Correcting such situations requires additional time and legal action.
We accompany the process not only until a court decision is obtained, but also monitor the issue of its registration with the Civil Registry Office to eliminate such risks and ensure the legal purity of the client’s status.
Why it is important to consider this stage in advance:
Registering a divorce and correctly formalising a court decision is not a formality, but a guarantee that the client will not encounter any legal obstacles in the future. We structure the divorce process taking into account not only obtaining a court decision, but also its further use — in Ukraine and beyond.
Divorce decree for use abroad
For clients residing abroad, it is important not only to obtain a divorce, but also to have the court decision correctly formalised for further use outside Ukraine.
It should be noted that:
a court decision used within Ukraine and a court decision intended for submission to foreign authorities are not always the same document in terms of form and further procedures.
If the document is to be used abroad, the following may be required:
- obtaining a certified copy of the court decision;
- affixing an apostille;
- preparing the document for use in marriage registration authorities, migration services or courts of another country.
If the client is abroad, the solicitor:
- receives the court decision after it comes into legal force;
- organises the apostille procedure, if necessary;
- ensures that documents are sent to the client abroad by post or courier services.
Это позволяет клиенту не возвращаться в Украину и использовать решение суда по месту своего проживания — для повторного брака, изменения статуса или оформления документов.
Regulatory framework
In divorce cases, we rely on the current legislation of Ukraine and judicial practice, in particular:
The Constitution of Ukraine:
Article 51 (protection of the family, voluntary marriage, equality of spouses).
Civil Code of Ukraine:
Articles 316–317, 368 (property rights and forms of ownership), Articles 372–373 (division of joint property).
Family Code of Ukraine:
Articles 104–105 (termination of marriage), Articles 110–112 (judicial dissolution of marriage), Articles 141, 160–161 (rights of parents, place of residence of the child), Articles 180–183 (maintenance of children).
The application of the rules is carried out taking into account the circumstances of the case and current court practice.
Related questions
Additional legal issues may arise during the divorce process. These are not mandatory for the divorce itself, but often deserve serious attention:
- alimony;
- division of jointly acquired property;
- determination of the child’s place of residence;
- the order of parental involvement in the child’s upbringing.
In the vast majority of cases, such issues are resolved in a separate process. This is done in order not to complicate or prolong the divorce process.
FAQ Frequently asked questions about divorce